Tag: Christianity

The Time for Believers to Act is Now—or Perhaps Never!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn Abortion, American Culture, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Father, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Marriage, Mother, Same Sex Marriage2 Comments

woman reading the bible in the darkness

The time for believers to act—and to act aggressively is now! There may not be another chance to be a positive and effective ambassador for the Lord until He returns. Generational drift has produce believers who are astonishingly ignorant of the Bible and its application to today most vital issues. Consider God’s own perfect words:

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” [James 4:1-6 NKJV Emphasis added]

The body of believers has become far too friendly with the world. It is a friendship that has distorted the Biblical worldview as perceived my many believers, especially the younger generations. The worldly-influenced distortions of the Biblical worldview has produced generations of sincere believers who are astonishingly ignorant of the pervasive nature of the Biblical worldview and how it applies to the powerful and devastating issues of our time.

Ponder just a few examples:

  • Abortion—Many have a vague notion that abortion is wrong, but are unable to clearly articulate why it is wrong. They may generally recall a Scripture verse where the Lord says, “I knew you when you were in the womb,” but many believers don’t know where to find it. Tragically, many believers have bought into the commonly held abortion exceptions for conceptions resulting from rape or incest and for protecting the health of the mother. They might even consider abortion when tests indicate that the baby might be born with some physical or mental limitations. Bottom line: Statistically, there is no difference between the rates of abortion among conservative Bible believers and the rate of abortion among atheists/agnostics.
  • Divorce—Today, many believers have essentially accepted serial marriage as a new norm. With unmistakable clarity God proclaims in Malachi, “I hate divorce.” Exactly what part of “I hate divorce” do people not understand? Most readers already know and understand the Biblical passages dealing with marriage and divorce. Nevertheless, the political notion of no-fault divorce that easily swept through most state legislatures greased the skids for believers to follow the world’s concept of divorce. Bottom line: The divorce rate among conservative Bible believers is statistically indistinguishable from the divorce rate among atheist/agnostics. Indeed, the United States, driven by Judeo-Christian tradition for centuries, now has a divorce rate among the top five highest in the world.
  • Same-Sex Marriage—For many believers, there is comfort in the God-given Biblical concept of marriage as one man, one woman, for one lifetime. Yet, they are unable to articulate why. They have gradually accepted alternative lifestyles up to and including so called “same-sex marriage.” Traditional marriage is carpet-bombed daily, by the media, the entertainment industry, liberal/progressive politicians, and the public educational system. Bottom line: Like Lot of old, many believers have long ago pitched their tent toward Sodom and have effectively since moved in. The tragic result is the catastrophic collapse of the American culture.
  • Strangers (largely government employees) raising the children of believers—In a devastating about face, the American culture now reveres career as a higher priority than family. Believers have succumbed to that siren song. There is no way a child can emerge into adulthood with solid soul-deep Biblical values unless the child is raised by his/her biological mom who is a full time homemaker, at least during child rearing years, and biological dad. It will not happen when a child is subjected to an endless round of babysitters, infant child care, nursery schools, before school care, after school care and so on. There is no substitute for a child’s God-given parents. Bottom line: The family is being intentionally obliterated by the myriad of forces that oppose it, while believers effectively roll over and play dead. The American culture, envied by the world since its inception, is rapidly falling into the dust bin of history.
  • Pornography—The explosion of the Internet has brought with it an explosion in pornography. It has become nearly impossible to avoid. While many believers will readily acknowledge that habitually viewing hard core pornography is wrong, they quietly accept the notion that a bit of soft porn is no big deal. Bottom line: Porn in any form is a big deal; it destroys relationships; it destroys marriages; it destroys families, thereby causing lasting damage to children. Yet most believers do not understand why and certainly are unable to articulate it.
  • LGBT adoptions—When they hear about LGBT adoptions, believers my feel a ripple of discontent pass through their heart and mind. Once again, they are unable to clearly articulate the associated problems from the perspective of a Biblical worldview. Bottom line: The rate of LGBT adoptions continues to increase with devastating effects on the American culture, while being tacitly supported by many believers.

Believers have become nearly indistinguishable from the world. If we want our children and grandchildren to experience even a fragment of a remaining free culture, the body of believers must act now, with determination and persistence. There is no time left. An occasional Bible class lesson or sermon on a controversial life-damaging topic will not come anywhere close to overcoming the widespread ignorance among believers.

There must be a very intense, all-out effort lead by the clergy. Here are a few recommendations:

  • Weekly group discussions—There must be intense weekly discussions for at least 8-12 weeks to cover all relevant issues. The discussions could occur within the traditional Sunday School or in home-based groups at any time.
  • Weekly sermons—Throughout the same period, there must be a reinforcing series of sermons on the same topics. People desperately want to hear from their spiritual leaders.
  • Suggested resource—An excellent resource is Dr. James L. Garlow’s book, Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today’s Tough Issues. His book was just published within recent weeks and addresses many of today’s most vexing issues in 3-5 page bite size chunks. A sampling of topics includes political correctness, school choice and parental authority, marriage, schools universities and the Christian faith, abortion, sexual orientation, the judiciary, social justice, Israel, racism, and many more. All topics are addressed from an uncompromising Biblical world viewpoint.

We cannot fail to arm the believers within our sphere of influence with clear, accurate, easy-to-articulate Biblical information to wage the ongoing spiritual war.

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their intimidation; do not be shaken.” But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you will be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.… [1 Peter 3:14-15 NIV]

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

 

The Gender Unicorn Is Coming To A Middle School Near YOU!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn Abortion, American Culture, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Father, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Homemaker, Judeo-Christian Culture, Love, Marriage, Mother, Same Sex MarriageLeave a comment

The relentless liberal/progressive effort to blur gender distinctions, invent new “genders,” and create new forms of “gender expression,” is currently invading an ever broadening list of public middle schools. The latest and most insidious wave is the Gender Unicorn:

gender-unicorn

Notice the similarity between the Gender Unicorn and Barney, the purple anthropomorphic tyrannosaurus rex, with whom many children are already familiar. Having already embraced a warm and fuzzy Barney, it becomes a very short step to embracing the Gender Unicorn.

The Gender Unicorn is clearly one of the most powerful and dramatic assaults on God, the Bible, and Judeo-Christian values of our time, just behind the U.S. Supreme Court ruling establishing the Constitutional validity of same-sex marriage

Believers are called upon by God to love everyone, regardless of lifestyle. But sin is still sin; it has never changed. The intimate actions of same sex unions are still an abomination to God. Adoptions be same-sex couples are still sinful. Any blurring of the God-given distinctions between men and women and their God-given roles is inviting the wrath of their Creator!

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

Charles Finney Speaks on Politics and Religion

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn Abortion, American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Same Sex Marriage, VoteLeave a comment

Finney Charles

Charles Finney, one of the leaders of the Second Great Awakening speaks on politics and religion:

“The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them…Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to their country as a part of their duty to God…God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”

 

Why Do We Insist on Sending Our Children into the Darkness?

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Father, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Love2 Comments

Boy Covers his Ears, hear no evil concept, grey background

Many Judeo-Christian believers and their leaders in the clergy fret and wring their hands about the loss of young adults to the faith. Christian and Jewish communities alike are losing massive numbers of young people as soon as they reach the age of moving away from home. Could the public school systems be part of the reason?

Consider the opening words of Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” [KJV] It is powerful Scriptural counsel.

Our children and grandchildren are precious gifts from God. Yet, we continue to immerse them, in the public school system, for 12 years in the “counsel of the ungodly,” smack dab “in the way of sinners,” all while occupying the “seat of the scornful.” The children are taught repeatedly that

  • the concept of sin is a relic of the religious myth;
  • all forms of behavior and lifestyles are morally acceptable;
  • none should have any form of a stigma attached. Refer to a previous blog (What the Public School is Teaching Your Children/Grandchildren is Shocking!) for a lengthy list of anti-Biblical messages relentlessly taught in the public schools

The authority figures with whom our children and grandchildren spend most of their waking hours are continuously teaching ungodly humanistic values. Why then should we be surprised by teenagers,

  • engaging in immoral—sometimes illegal—behaviors,
  • causing teen pregnancies,
  • displaying extremely selfish attitudes,
  • promoting ungodly liberal/progressive views,
  • using drugs and alcohol, and
  • ultimately, leaving the faith.

The Apostle Paul asks in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “…what fellowship can light have with darkness?” [NIV] None, of course! Then why do we insist on sending our children and grandchildren into 12 years of darkness?

There are few alternatives. Many faith-based schools have become elite to the point of demanding tuition in the range of $10,000 to $14,000 per year per child, simply outside the range of the average family. Some have also compromised the Judeo-Christian values that originally launched the schools. Consider two other options:

  • Home schooling: Home schooling was started by God, “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” [Deuteronomy 11:19 NIW] God assigned the responsibility of education to the parents and has never changed His mind.

In modern times, the home schooling movement has massively matured. Consider A Beka Academy as one example of many. (http://www.abekaacademy.org/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 ) Today, the number of home schooling families should be increased by at least a factor of 10.

  • Faith-based schooling: Drive across any city and observe church after church and synagogue after synagogue that are occupied on occasional week nights and on weekends. These places of worship ranging from a small neighborhood church to large campuses at mega-churches lie empty during prime weekday hours virtually all day every day Monday through Friday.

The physical facilities for Christian schools already exist just waiting to be used for schools. It is shameful to waste God’s resources on empty buildings, while the American culture continues to implode. However, to use the existing facilities as schools requires cooperation and collaboration among churches even across denominational lines.

I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution that does not unceasingly pursue the study of God’s Word becomes corrupt…I greatly fear that the [schools], unless they teach the Holy Scriptures diligently and impress them on the young students, are wide gates to Hell. Martin Luther

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

Check Out iVoterGuide.com

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn Abortion, American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, VoteLeave a comment

iVoterGuide

I have a sticker on my car window that says, “Pray, then vote!” But how? Yard signs are useless. The campaign literature that overloads our mailboxes is nearly useless, because most politicians are reluctant to express a position on important matters for fear of losing votes.

One of the best solutions is iVoterGuide.com. Just click on  https://home.ivoterguide.com/  It is a nationwide effort to provide voters with useful voting information and a project of Heritage Alliance (http://heritagealliance.wixsite.com/heritagealliance ), an organization dedicated to “Equipping Christians to vote wisely.”

At the site for ivoterguide.com, just provide your address and sometimes zip code to bring up your ballot the upcoming elections. Candidates are evaluated from very conservative to very liberal. Clicking on “side-by-side comparison” bring up a table that compares candidates for any particular race. The comparison provides information on each candidate’s endorsements and contributors, a legislative record for incumbents, and the candidates’ responses to a survey that requires an indicate of their positions on issues important to believers. The survey is a series of statements with which the candidate must strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree. An example statement is, “Life begins at conception.”

Personal Note: After completing a survey myself, I was invited to participate on a panel that evaluated about a dozen candidates in South Florida races. Each panelist evaluated the candidates and then the entire panel met online to resolve discrepancies in the individual evaluations. It was a great experience.

Please check out the site for yourself and publicize it regularly within your congregation.

 

In a generation or two, the US will ask itself: “Who lost Europe?”

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Education, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Vote2 Comments

In a generation or two, the US will ask itself: “Who lost Europe?”

Geert Wilders, Chairman, Party for Freedom, the Netherlands, spoke urgently and forcefully at the Four Seasons, New York, introducing an Alliance of Patriots and announcing the Facing Jihad Conference in Jerusalem.

Prayerfully consider his following remarks. Subheadings and emphases have been added, by this writer, for clarity. I’ve been aware of Geert’s mission for some time. This message is a particularly good summery. Consider skimming the highlights; return for details as time permits.

Geert Wilders

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for inviting me. I come to America with a mission.  All is not well in the old world. There is a tremendous danger looming, and it is very difficult to be optimistic.

Urgent Warning!       We might be in the final stages of the Islamization of Europe. This not only is a clear and present danger to the future of Europe itself, it is a threat to America and the sheer survival of the West. The United States is the last bastion of Western civilization, facing an Islamic Europe. 

First I will describe the situation on the ground in Europe. Then, I will say a few things about Islam. To close I will tell you about a meeting in Jerusalem.

The Europe you know is changing. You have probably seen the landmarks. But in all of these cities, sometimes a few blocks away from your tourist destination, there is another world. It is the world of the parallel society created by Muslim mass-migration.

The New Reality of an Increasingly Muslim Europe

All throughout Europe a new reality is rising: entire Muslim neighborhoods where very few indigenous people reside or are even seen. And if they are, they might regret it. This goes for the police as well. It’s the world of head scarves, where women walk around in figureless tents, with baby strollers and a group of children. Their husbands, or slaveholders if you prefer, walk three steps ahead.

With mosques on many street corners. The shops have signs you and I cannot read. You will be hard-pressed to find any economic activity. These are Muslim ghettos controlled by religious fanatics. These are Muslim neighborhoods, and they are mushrooming in every city across Europe. These are the building-blocks for territorial control of increasingly larger portions of Europe, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, city by city.

There are now thousands of mosques throughout Europe with larger congregations than there are in churches. And in every European city there are plans to build super-mosques that will dwarf every church in the region. Clearly, the signal is: we rule.       Many European cities are already one-quarter Muslim: just take Amsterdam, Marseilles and Malmo in Sweden. In many cities the majority of the under-18 population is Muslim. Paris is now surrounded by Muslim neighborhoods. Mohammad is the most popular name among boys in many cities.

The Educational Systems Have Been Islamized

In some elementary schools in Amsterdam the farm can no longer be mentioned, because that would also mean mentioning the pig, and that would be an insult to Muslims. Many state schools in Belgium and Denmark only serve halal food to all pupils.

In once-tolerant Amsterdam gays are beaten up almost exclusively by Muslims. Non-Muslim women routinely hear ‘whore, whore’.  Satellite dishes are not pointed to local TV stations, but to stations in the country of origin.

In France school teachers are advised to avoid authors deemed offensive to Muslims, including Voltaire and Diderot; the same is increasingly true of Darwin. The history of the Holocaust can no longer be taught because of Muslim sensitivity.   

In England sharia courts are now officially part of the British legal system. Many neighborhoods in France are no-go areas for women without head scarves. Last week a man almost died after being beaten up by Muslims in Brussels, because he was drinking during the Ramadan.

Jews are fleeing France in record numbers, on the run for the worst wave of anti-Semitism since World War II.  French is now commonly spoken on the streets of Tel Aviv and Netanya, Israel.  I could go on forever with stories like this. Stories about Islamization.

The Scoreboard Tells the Story

A total of fifty-four million Muslims now live in Europe. San Diego University recently calculated that a staggering 25 percent of the population in Europe will be Muslim just 12 years from now. Bernhardt Lewis has predicted a Muslim majority by the end of this century.       Now these are just numbers.  And the numbers would not be threatening if the Muslim-immigrants had a strong desire to assimilate. But there are few signs of that. The Pew Research Center reported that half of French Muslims see their loyalty to Islam as greater than their loyalty to France.

One-third of French Muslims do not object to suicide attacks. The British Centre for Social Cohesion reported that one-third of British Muslim students are in favor of a worldwide caliphate. Muslims demand what they call ‘respect’. And this is how we give them respect.  We already have Muslim official state holidays.

The Christian-Democratic attorney general is willing to accept sharia in the Netherlands if there is a Muslim majority. We have cabinet members with passports from Morocco and Turkey. Muslim demands are supported by unlawful behavior, ranging from petty crimes and random violence, for example against ambulance workers and bus drivers, to small-scale riots. Paris has seen its uprising in the low-income suburbs, the banlieus.

Who Are These “Settlers?”

I call the perpetrators settlers. Because that is what they are. They do not come to integrate into our societies; they come to integrate us into theirs. Therefore, they are settlers. Much of this street violence I mentioned is directed exclusively against non-Muslims, forcing many native people to leave their neighborhoods, their cities, their countries.  Moreover, Muslims are now a swing vote not to be ignored.

Mohammed Established a Violent and Immoral Heritage

The second thing you need to know is the importance of Mohammed the prophet. His behavior is an example to all Muslims and cannot be criticized. Now, if Mohammed had been a man of peace, let us say like Gandhi and Mother Theresa wrapped in one, there would be no problem. But Mohammed was a warlord, a mass murderer, a pedophile, and had several marriages – at the same time.

Islamic tradition tells us how he fought in battles, how he had his enemies murdered and even had prisoners of war executed. Mohammad himself slaughtered the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza.  If it is good for Islam, it is good. If it is bad for Islam, it is bad.

Let no one fool you about Islam being a religion. Sure, it has a god, and a here-after, and 72 virgins. But in its essence Islam is a political ideology. It is a system that lays down detailed rules for society and the life of every person. Islam wants to dictate every aspect of life.  Islam means ‘submission’. Islam is not compatible with freedom and democracy, because what it strives for is Sharia. If you want to compare Islam to anything, compare it to communism or national-socialism, these are all totalitarian ideologies.       Now you know why Winston Churchill called Islam ‘the most retrograde force in the world’, and why he compared Mein Kampf to the Quran. The public has accepted the Palestinian narrative, and sees Israel as the aggressor. I have lived in this country and visited it dozens of times.

Geert’s Support for Israel

I support Israel. First, because it is the Jewish homeland after two thousand years of exile up to and including Auschwitz. Second because it is a democracy.  And third because Israel is our first line of defense.       This tiny country is situated on the fault line of jihad, frustrating Islam’s territorial advance.  Israel is facing the front lines of jihad, like Kashmir, Kosovo, the Philippines, Southern Thailand, Darfur in Sudan, Lebanon, and Aceh in Indonesia.  Israel is simply in the way; the same way West-Berlin was during the Cold War.       The war against Israel is not a war against Israel.  It is a war against the West. It is jihad. Israel is simply receiving the blows that are meant for all of us.  If there would have been no Israel,

Islamic imperialism would have found other venues to release its energy and its desire for conquest. Thanks to Israeli parents who send their children to the army and lay awake at night, parents in Europe and America can sleep well and dream, unaware of the dangers looming.       Many in Europe argue in favor of abandoning Israel in order to address the grievances of our Muslim minorities. But if Israel were, God forbid, to go down, it would not bring any solace to the West. It would not mean our Muslim minorities would all of a sudden change their behavior, and accept our values.

On the contrary, the end of Israel would give enormous encouragement to the forces of Islam. They would, and rightly so, see the demise of Israel as proof that the West is weak, and doomed.  The end of Israel would not mean the end of our problems with Islam, but only the beginning. It would mean the start of the final battle for world domination. If they can get Israel, they can get everything.

So-called journalists volunteer to label any and all critics of Islam as a ‘right-wing extremists’ or ‘racists’. In my country, the Netherlands, 60 percent of the population now sees the mass immigration of Muslims as the number one policy mistake since World War II.  And another 60 percent sees Islam as the biggest threat.

The Greatest Danger!

Yet there is a greater danger than terrorist attacks, the scenario of America as the last man standing. The lights may go out in Europe faster than you can imagine. An Islamic Europe means a Europe without freedom and democracy, an economic wasteland, an intellectual nightmare, and a loss of military might for America – as its allies will turn into enemies, enemies with atomic bombs.

With an Islamic Europe, it would be up to America alone to preserve the heritage of Rome, Athens and Jerusalem.

Geert’s Final Plea for Freedom

Dear friends,

Liberty is the most precious of gifts. My generation never had to fight for this freedom, it was offered to us on a silver platter, by people who fought for it with their lives.  All throughout Europe, American cemeteries remind us of the young boys who never made it home, and whose memory we cherish. My generation does not own this freedom; we are merely its custodians. We can only hand over this hard won liberty to Europe’s children in the same state in which it was offered to us. 

We cannot strike a deal with mullahs and imams.  Future generations would never forgive us. We cannot squander our liberties. We simply do not have the right to do so.

We have to take the necessary action now to stop this Islamic stupidity from destroying the free world that we know.

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

God Warned of America’s Decline in Scripture!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, VoteLeave a comment

Working together

As America spirals down into a cultural sewer, we are comforted by knowing that we’ve read the end of the Book. We know how it ultimately ends. Meanwhile, we are told to live the life precisely as instructed by Scripture, visible standing for all that is good and actively opposing all that is evil.

Consider God’s ancient warning to a modern America:

“The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.” Proverbs 9:17 

“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the las is joyful.” Proverbs 29:18 

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” Proverbs 29:2 

And finally, the familiar verse,

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” Proverbs 14:23

It’s up to us as believers to be the “light of the world,” “the salt of the earth,” and positive, loving, ambassadors for God!

 

Don’t Miss Dinesh D’Souza’s New Movie—Just opened nationwide on Friday, July 23, 2016

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Father, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, VoteLeave a comment

Hillarys America.jpg

Don’t miss it. D’Souza’s new movie is powerful and well documented. Hillary is just a portion of this blockbuster. After addressing some tough stuff, it has a wonderful red, white, and blue patriotic ending.

It opened nationwide last Friday at 1500 theaters.

Presidential Election Demands Attention!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn Abortion, American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Marriage, VoteLeave a comment

donald trump

The upcoming presidential election is very literally the most important election of our time, perhaps the most important election in the history of our country. The book Wake Up America or Die!—YOU Must Save America and the Family includes two chapters devoted to government. One is in the “Undeniable Crisis” section; the other is in the “Awesome Remedy” section. Although written with abundant clarity, neither mentions any specific political party or living politician or candidate.

However, it is no longer possible to escape such specifics. With Hillary Clinton wearing horns and a forked tail, the ongoing controversy over Donald Trump is troublesome and dangerous.

There is a view often stated among university faculty members that, “We must teach the students we have not the students we wish we had.” Donald Trump was not my first choice for a conservative candidate. Nevertheless, the candidates for President of the United States have apparently been reduced to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Compare the Candidates

Voting is essential. It is an act of worship to protect the God-given freedoms secured by the Declaration of Independence and codified in the United States Constitution. Sitting at home and not voting is absolutely not an option for Judeo-Christian believers. Despite the misgivings of some conservatives and clergy, the bright line contrast between Trump and Clinton could not be greater. Consider as side-by-side comparison:

Donald Trump pledged to restore faith to its level of historical prominence in this country.

Hillary Clinton routinely supports views antagonistic to Judeo-Christian tradition. Her occasional politically correct remarks are overtaken by her actions.

Donald Trump is Prolife. Although he is against abortion, he has supported certain well known exceptions with which many believers, including this writer, would disagree.

Hillary Clinton is pro-death (Prochoice)

Donald Trump supports defunding Planned Parenthood.

Hillary Clinton is demanding substantially even more funding for Planned Parenthood.

Donald Trump pledged to nominated originalist (constitutionalist) justices to the Supreme Court.

Hillary Clinton will nominate the most liberal justices available to the Court.

Donald Trump is committed to aggressively dealing with uncontrolled immigration and border security.

Hillary Clinton is a globalist advocate of a borderless United States and a borderless world.

Donald Trump is committed to aggressively combating terrorism in all forms.

Hillary Clinton is unable to identify the sources of terrorism, beyond perfunctory, politically correct comments following each terrorist attack.

Donald Trump will rebuild the military for the protection of all citizens.

Hillary Clinton will continue to decimate the military.

Donald Trump is committed to “Make America Great Again.”

Hillary Clinton is a globalist committed to taking down America, following Obama’s “fundamental transformation” to make all countries equal.

Donald Trump says, “I refuse to be politically correct.” Political correctness is a movement designed to shut down the Biblical worldview.

Hillary Clinton fully embraces political correctness and all of its nuances.

There are other areas of glaring comparison, but those listed are sufficient for this message.

The greatest American presidents were known for having a noticeably humble spirit, a character trait that often fosters good listening skills. Humility seems to be Donald Trump’s most visible short-coming. But even that attitude is better than Hillary Clinton’s arrogance, sense of supremacy, and infamously harsh treatment of those she encounters and even those within her inner circle.

Judicial Appointments

A vastly overarching sleeper issue is the ability of the President to appoint federal judges. Each President appoints hundreds of federal judges who generally operate under the cloak of media darkness unless the media declares a case to be sufficiently controversial to report.

Many bad judicial decisions stand simply because the resources are not available for successive appeals or the Supreme Court is so avalanched with cases they can only hear a few due to the lack of time. Consequently, a Supreme Court decision not to hear a case can be as important as a decision to hear one.

An out-of-control judiciary was feared by the great Founders of the United States of America. Presidents have the opportunity to greatly influence the federal court system by selecting judges and justices who either support a Originalist view of the Constitution (It is a sacred anchor document that means what it says and can only be changed through the amendment process.) or a post-Constitutional view that claims the Constitution must be treated as a living document, continuously reinterpreted to keep up with the changing times. A so called fluid Constitution is effectively no constitution at all.

Due to political polarization, the power of the president to appoint federal judges has become the most influential and lasting power within the president’s grasp.

Former President Franklin Roosevelt was well known for attempting to pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices. Although he died in 1945, his Supreme Court appointees served until 1975. His appointees, along with liberal justices appointed by Presidents Harry Truman, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and even Dwight Eisenhower handed down a stream of devastating decisions including rulings that:

  • Effectively declared all religions equal and equally subservient to the United States Government. Such a decision effectively replaces God with the federal government.
  • Removed prayer from the public schools
  • Removed Bible reading from the public schools
  • Routinely supported the breakdown of morality in the American Culture.
  • Handed down the infamous Roe v. Wade decision
  • Supported no-fault divorces

Justices nominated by Hillary Clinton, as president, would continue the stream of devastating Supreme Court rulings “lowlighted” by the now infamous ruling sanctifying same-sex “marriage.” Constitutionalist justices appointed by Donald Trump as president would be a powerful restraint on the Supreme Court and possibly tilt the Court in a conservative Biblical direction.

Restoring America is up to YOU!

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

 

What the Public School is Teaching Your Children/Grandchildren is Shocking!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, Church, Education, Freedom, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, Science2 Comments

The public schools are a reflection of the American culture. As the culture falls, the standards in the public schools are deteriorating at an accelerating rate. The concepts taught today are far different than even a generation ago.

Male Elementary Pupil In Computer Class

Although there are many dedicated and hardworking Christians and Jews teaching and working in the school systems, their views and values have been largely shut down by the cultural and now legal pressures of political correctness. Indeed, many principals and boards of education exert politically correct demands far beyond the requirements of the law.

The intimidation of believers varies from daunting to frightening and may include harsh, precedent setting legal action. Some have lost their jobs. Even threatened legal action has a profound chilling effect on expressing views counter to the dictum of politically correctness. Heavy fines and jail time cannot be far behind.

Long ago, Abraham Lincoln warned, The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. Much more recently, Ronald Reagan proclaimed,

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

We tend to hear bits and pieces in the news. However, the overall package of what is being taught today is beyond disturbing. As you consider this partial list, know that it does not reflect merely reflect periodic shotgun style teaching. Each item is embedded throughout the academic culture from kindergarten through the 12th grade and repeatedly reaffirmed in the universities. Each item demands a detailed discussion. But for now, it is more important to zoom out and consider the list as a whole

Most believers will recognize these items as false. Yet, they are being taught as undeniable truth in the public schools. The effect on the American culture has been devastating and is the harbinger of even worse in the near future.

Science

  • The theory of evolution is fact.
  • Science is a greater arbiter of truth than the Bible.
  • Extreme environmentalism is necessary to prevent human extinction nad destruction of the planet.
  • Global warming is taught as incontrovertible fact along with images portending colossal disaster.
  • Homosexuals, lesbians, and transexuals are born that way and cannot change (genetics).
  • Due to the alleged population explosion, couples should not have babies.
  • Marijuana use is good recreation and especially desirable for medical treatment of pain.

Religion

  • All religions, including Judeo-Christian tradition, are manmade myths
  • All religions are equal and equally fanciful.
  • All public expression or symbols of religion must be barred. The concept of separation of church and state has been turned upside down.
  • Judeo-Christian tradition is radical, extreme, and dangerous.
  • Religion is the cause of virtually all cultural problems and cultural violence throughout history.
  • Islam is a peaceful religion.

Humanity (Humanism)

  • Theory of evolution supports the erroneous conclusion that there is no god.
  • There is no objective truth.
  • There are no overarching values applicable to all people.

Gender

  • Gender is fluid, based on feelings and identity, rather than biology.
  • There are no differences between men and women except the external plumbing.
  • All LBGTQ lifestyles are acceptable, desirable, and merely a matter of personal choice.

Family

  • The “family” is whatever any consenting group declares it to be.
  • Career is more important than family.
  • Cohabitation is an acceptable means to test a relationship before marriage.
  • Marriage is not a necessary prerequisite for having children.
  • A father is not necessary for raising a child.
  • Producing children is undesirable due to the population explosion and interference with careers of parents.
  • Abortions are morally acceptable (not just legal) for birth control and to terminate inconvenient pregnancies.
  • “Imperfect” babies should be aborted.
  • Same-sex marriage is acceptable, desirable, and morally equivalent to traditional marriage. (An abomination to the Lord has become a Constitutional “right.”). Textbooks are being hastily rewritten to accommodate last year’s shocking U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
  • Nursing homes are convenient places to sidebar inconvenient relatives, especially if home care would interfere with the careers of others in the home.
  • Divorce is a readily available and morally acceptable means to escape difficult marital issues.

Culture

  • All cultures are equally valid and equally desirable.
  • The Founders of the Unites States were white, rich, selfish, slave-owning bigots.
  • America is evil, acquiring wealth on the backs of slaves, atrocities to the American Indians, and resources “stolen” from other nations.
  • Patriotism must be discouraged in favor of globalism.
  • The American flag is offensive as a symbol of America’s “sins.”
  • Profanity is merely a colorful expression of the culture.
  • Virtually unlimited immigration is good.
  • National borders must be abolished.

Entertainment

  • Overt sexuality in movies and television is healthy entertainment.
  • There is virtually no cultural effect linked to violence in entertainment (movies, television, video games).
  • There is no need to promote morality in entertainment, because there are no longer any culturally agreed upon standards of morality.
  • Pornography is healthy and acceptable.

Government

  • Socialism is superior to capitalism.
  • Animals have rights equal to humans.
  • The government must provide for children to the greatest extent possible so the parents can do useful work.
  • The “experts” in the public schools raise children better than their parents (Such was also the view in Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia, and Communist China.).

You have likely heard that, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” The concept is not limited to just the physical realm. It applies also to the emotional and spiritual realms. In the 1970s, a cultural decision was made to discontinue teaching values in the public schools, emphasizing academic knowledge instead. Since then, the values vacuum has been filled. The perfect God-created Judeo-Christian values have been replaced by seriously flawed man-invented Humanist values. The results have been tragic. “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” C. S. Lewis

As believing parents and grandparents, are these lesson shocking? They should be! They would have triggered loud and angry protests from YOUR grandparents. It is astonishing that such a cultural collapse could occur in little more than a generation. Consider a few declarations from the past.

I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution that does not unceasingly pursue the study of God’s Word becomes corrupt…I greatly fear that the [schools], unless they teach the Holy Scriptures diligently and impress them on the young students, are wide gates to Hell. Martin Luther

[T] Bible…should be read in our schools in preference to all other books.

Dr. Benjamin Rush, Signer of Declaration of Independence

The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.

Thomas Jefferson

Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God.

Gouverneur Morris, Author/Signer U.S. Constitution

Education is useless without the Bible. Noah Webster

Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not only of all free government, but of social felicity under all governments and in all the combinations of human society. President John Adams

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. President George Washington

There are, of course, alternatives to government-forced indoctrination in the public schools:

  • Homeschooling—The homeschooling movement has matured greatly in the last 30 years. At least ten times more families should be participating.
  • Private or faith-based schools—Although private schooling is available, much of it has become priced beyond the budget of the average family. Many have also compromised their values.
  • New schools developed by churches/synagogues—There are large numbers of churches/synagogues in every city. Most are occupied sporadically on evenings and weekends. Places of worship are generally vacant during primetime all day every day five days a week. The physical plant is already there. The building could and must be use for schools during the week.

Apathy is no longer an option. The entire body of believers must act now and continuously to prevent the total loss of the freedom bestowed as a gift from God, not a grant from government. Otherwise, as President Reagan said near the beginning of this piece, “one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” If we ignore this perhaps last opportunity, we will later face God with only feeble excuses.

 

Failure to Vote Is a Vote to Fail!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Vote2 Comments

When a believer fails to vote, the voter is effectively voting for the least favorable option. Inaction becomes an endorsement for the candidates least likely to protect the rights and freedoms that are gifts from God. Failure to vote is a very serious indictment of the believer’s own drift away from God, godly character, and godly principles.

President James Garfield explained that the character of the people is responsible for the character of government:

“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial[1976] does not find us a great nation . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”

Since Judeo-Christian believers are the only ones who understand Biblical character, they MUST become vote leaders not anti-vote followers. Francis Grimke (Presbyterian minister and civil rights activist, 1852-1937) boldly proclaimed that a failure to vote is a prescription for America’s self-destruction:

“If the time ever comes when we shall go to pieces, it will . . . be . . . from inward corruption – from the disregard of right principles . . . from losing sight of the fact that “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but that sin is a reproach to any people” [Proverbs 14:34]. . .[T]he secession of the Southern States in 1860 was a small matter with the secession of the Union itself from the great principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence, in the Golden Rule, in the Ten Commandments, in the Sermon on the Mount. Unless we hold, and hold firmly to these great fundamental principles of righteousness. . . our Union . . . will be “only a covenant with death and an agreement with hell.”

Finally, William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania) profoundly observed that good government depend on good citizens who are good voters:

“Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men than men upon governments. Let men be good and the government cannot be bad. . . . But if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn. . .[T]hough good laws do well, good men do better; for good laws may want [lack] good men and be abolished or invaded by ill men; but good men will never want good laws nor suffer [allow] ill ones.”

Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote at every opportunity including seemingly minor local offices. Vote thoughtfully after careful consideration of the record of each candidate and his/her specifically clarified views. Do not fail to vote; do not vote frivolously.

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

Sam Adams Freedom Imperative

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Freedom, God's Love, Judeo-Christian Culture, VoteLeave a comment

“If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our country men.” Founder, Samuel Adams

Vote for Character!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, VoteLeave a comment

Strong character builds strong people, trustworthy politicians, and a strong America; compromised character destroys all three. Judeo-Christian tradition is strongly character-driven manifested by a desire to achieve increasing levels of maturity. Serving others and God is a high priority. Such values dominated the American culture for nearly 400 years. In contrast, liberal/progressive/Humanism seeks primarily to benefit self and is led by self-proclaimed elite. When voting, it is critical to consider the character of candidates.

Political Candidates

Consider the precise, practical, and strong proclamations of the Founders in their own words:

John Adams (founder)—We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands; we have a check upon two branches of the legislature . . . the power I mean of electing at stated periods [each] branch… It becomes necessary to every [citizen] then, to be in some degree a statesman, and to examine and judge for himself of the tendency of political principles and measures. Let us examine, then, with a sober, a manly . . . and a Christian spirit; let us neglect all party [loyalty] and advert to facts; let us believe no man to be infallible or impeccable in government any more than in religion; take no man’s word against evidence, nor implicitly adopt the sentiments of others who may be deceived themselves, or may be interested in deceiving us.

Frederick Douglass (statesman, orator, social reformer)—I have one great political idea. . .That idea is an old one. It is widely and generally assented to; nevertheless, it is very generally trampled upon and disregarded. The best expression of it, I have found in the Bible. It is in substance, “Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin is a reproach to any people” [Proverbs 14:34]. This constitutes my politics—the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics. . .I feel it my duty to do all in my power to infuse this idea into the public mind, that it may speedily be recognized and practiced upon by our people.

[T]he time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics Charles Finney (19th Century evangelist)— or the Lord will curse them. . .Christians have been exceedingly guilty in this matter. But the time has come when they must act differently. . . . Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics. But I tell you He does see it – and He will bless or curse this nation according to the course they [Christians] take [in politics].

John Jay (founder)—Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.

William Paterson (signer of the Constitution)—When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Noah Webster (lexicographer and political writer)—In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate – look to his character as a man of known principle, of tried integrity, and undoubted ability for the office … Scriptures teach …they direct that rulers should be men who rule in the fear of God, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor, he betrays the interest of his country.

When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, “just men who will rule in the fear of God.” The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.

John Witherspoon (minister and signer of the Declaration of Independence)—Those who wish well to the State ought to choose to places of trust men of inward principle, justified by exemplary conversation. . . [And] the people in general ought to have regard to the moral character of those whom they invest with authority either in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches.

Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote at every opportunity including seemingly minor local offices. Vote thoughtfully after careful consideration of the record of each candidate and his/her specifically clarified views. Do not fail to vote; do not vote frivolously.

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

 

National Christian Leaders Call on Pastors and All Believers for Widespread Action Now!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Father, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture, Love, MarriageLeave a comment

Caution - Political Protests Ahead

Tony Perkins, President of Washington-based Family Research Council issued a stinging rebuke of the Obama Administration’s bullying states and public schools systems regarding their efforts to keep men’s/women’s and boy’s/girl’s restrooms and locker rooms separate. This week Obama issued “guidance” to school districts threatening to withhold federal funding from noncompliant school districts. Perkins forcefully argued that the motivations and objectives are far deeper than the use of public restrooms/locker rooms.

Perkins further charged that:

“Far too long American pulpits have remained silent on controversial cultural issues. Preachers don’t want to rock the boat. Parishioners don’t want to cause trouble. Far too long society has turned a blind eye as President Obama fundamentally transformed our nation.

“But now the country stands at the edge of a great moral abyss. And we must ask ourselves – do we defy the president and save the nation or do we keep the peace and sacrifice our children?”

He (Perkins) reported that Ronnie Floyd, the head of the Southern Baptist Convention, warned, “Sooner or later we have to determine that enough is enough. It’s not going to change until Christians get involved in this battle.”

Mat Staver, Founder/CEO of Liberty Counsel further proclaimed:

“The reason they want to abolish gender is because they also want to remove any kind of moral construct regarding human sexuality,” Staver explained. “Ultimately they want to abolish gender so they can abolish the very notion of the creator God himself, who created you and I in His image. Male and female, God created you and I, distinctly different yet complementary.”

As the once great Roman Empire fell, the emperor’s offered “bread and circuses” to pacify the people, much as our government does today. Do we dare allow America to suffer the same fate? Might we someday be accountable to God for our widespread indifference—or will He celebrate the actions we are about to take?

The time for action is inescapably urgent and the time is now! Just ask Tony Perkins, Ronnie Floyd, and Mat Staver.

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

 

If Truth Be Not Diffused, Error Will Be

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture9 Comments

Imacon Color Scanner

“If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, error well be: If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy; If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.”

Senator Daniel Webster

Americans Have Bought Into the Big Lie!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Church, Education, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian Culture1 Comment

Separate Chruch State

Editorial note: This writing began with another topic in mind. But the concept of the separation of church and state recurred so relentlessly that it could not be ignored. Perhaps it was the Lord’s prompting. You decide. Initially, I resisted, confident that I had a good understanding of the matter and it had already been talked to death by many others. Nevertheless, an abundance of fresh new material emerged during the writing. It became increasingly clear that the secular distortion of the separation of church and state has had profound and tragic consequence on America and even worse consequence on the body of believers. Read on. You’ll see why.

 

“A lie told often enough becomes the truth.” Who said it? If you thought, Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany’s Minister of Enlightenment and Propaganda, not quite. The quote was first spoken by Vladimir Lenin, Father of Communism. But Goebbels developed it into a highly specialized art form:

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

We tend to associate such thinking with totalitarianism. But does it happen in the United States? You bet it does! Often! Consider, for example, a perverted interpretation of the “separation of church and state.” Throughout recent generations, the lie has been repeated endlessly in court proceedings, by politicians, the media, and throughout the entire educational system.. Believers routinely parrot the secular politically correct interpretation of Thomas Jefferson’s metaphor

The separation of church and state lie has weakened America’s faith and opened the door for all manner of evil. Private immorality is possible only after compromising God’s Word. Private immorality leads to public immorality a breakdown of trust, and an erosion of integrity, which incite all other forms of wrongdoing. Civilization first decays then collapses, slowly at first, then becoming a virtual free fall. The free fall America is currently experiencing cannot last long. Unless there is direct action by believers accompanied by a spiritual awakening, oblivion is at America’s doorstep.

What happened? It is generally well known that the phrase, “wall of separation between church and state,” is not in the U. S. Constitution. President Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in the State of Connecticut. To establish context, the full letter provides:

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man& his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State

Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

“I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association assurances of my high respect & esteem.”

 Thomas Jefferson Jan.1.1802

The faith held by the Founders, including Thomas Jefferson, has been widely documented and is beyond any serious dispute. Collectively, the Founders feared the European religious persecution, from which the early settlers fled.

The persecution emerged each time a European government adopted an official religion for a country and named the king as the head of that religion. It was a recipe for the abuse of anyone differing from the king’s interpretation of any religious matter. In Biblical times, kings often deferred to the prophet of the day, a kind of separation of church and state. But in 17-19th Century Europe, kings had no accountability. There was no check on the worst of human nature.

The Founders were determined to prevent a recurrence of the European abuses. They wanted a written guarantee that all citizens would be free to worship God in the manner of their choice, without any government interference or restrictions. It was never anticipated that the government would abandon any form of religious expression or recognition or aggressively prevent such recognition in public places.

The Founders fully and clearly intended that the government would routinely participate in non-denominational religious observances. To that end, they adopted the First Amendment to the Constitution, declaring that their legislature (U.S. Congress only) should “make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The amendment was clearly intended to protect individual freedom. It was never intended to ban religion from the public square.

Secular groups, particularly atheistic organizations have attempted to paint Thomas Jefferson as an atheist. Such claims are clearly antagonistic to the readily available public record. He was part of a three-man committee assigned to create a seal for the fledgling nation. Jefferson proposed an image of the children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night.

Generally, it’s best to let historical figures, such as Jefferson speak for themselves. Consider this selection of quotes:

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”

Thomas Jefferson, 1781

Query XVIII, Notes on the State of Virginia.

“No power over the freedom of religion…[is] delegated to the United States by the Constitution.”

Thomas Jefferson, 1798

Kentucky Resolution

“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

Thomas Jefferson, September 23, 1800

Letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush

“And let us reflect that having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions…”

Thomas Jefferson, 1801

First Inaugural Address

“The Christian Religion, when divested of the rags in which the [the clergy] have enveloped it, and brought to the original purity and simplicity of its benevolent institutor, is a religion of all others most friendly to liberty, science, and the freest expansion of the human mind.”

Thomas Jefferson, March 23, 1801

Letter to Moses Robinson

“The Northwest Ordinance—Article III Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged.”

Thomas Jefferson, signer, April 30, 1802

“My views…are the result of a life on inquiry and reflection and very different from the anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions. To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed, opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian in the only sense in which he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines in preference to all others…”

Thomas Jefferson, April 21, 1803

Letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush

“I consider the doctrines of Jesus as delivered by himself to contain the outlines of the sublimest system of morality that has ever been taught but I hold in the most profound detestation and execration the corruptions of it which have been invented…”

Thomas Jefferson, June 17, 1804

Letter to Henry Fry

The inescapable conclusion is that Thomas Jefferson’s life was driven by his faith in God and his persistent efforts to grow in godly character as expressed in the life of Jesus.

In 1840, U. S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story clarified the roll of the Constitution’s First Amendment:

“We are not to attribute this prohibition of a national religion establishment [in the First Amendment] to an indifference to religion in general, and especially to Christianity (which none could hold in more reverence than the framers of the Constitution)…at the time of adoption of the Constitution, the [prevailing] sentiment was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the State so far as was not incompatible with the private rights of conscience and the freedom of religious worship. Any attempt to level all religions, and to make it a matter of state policy to hold all in utter indifference, would have created universal disapprobation, if not universal indignation.”

Joseph Story, Justice-U.S. Supreme Court

Abstracted from “A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of the United States”

In 1892, U. S. Supreme Court Justice Josiah Brewer bolstered the argument:

“No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people.”

Josiah Brewer, Justice-U.S. Supreme Court

Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States,

143 US 457-458, 465-471, 36 L ed 226

However, a major symbolic and substantive change occurred, when the U.S. Supreme court rendered a decision in Everson v. Board of Education (1947). According to Dr. Scott Lively, (attorney, pastor and human-rights consultant) “That was the case that adopted Jefferson’s “separation of church and state” metaphor as a justification for declaring all religions to be equal with Christianity in America, and equally subservient to secular humanist authority… It intentionally and officially dethroned the God of the Bible after more than 300 years of His being acknowledged as Lord over this nation.” The clear understanding of the separation of church and state concept was consistently reinforced by the U. S. Supreme Court and many others for 147 years. With the stroke of a pen in 1947, The Supreme Court stood the concept on its head.

A new secular concept of separation of church and state was established that was exactly the opposite of the original. The government’s unbiased participation in and support of religious observances and an ironclad guarantee of freedom of religion has been replaced by a virtual ban on public religious expression, especially by government employees, anyone using government property for private functions, or any group receiving government funds.

Since the 1947 decision, the secular version of separation of church and state has become embedded in the public school systems, proclaimed by the media, and repeatedly reinforced by the Supreme Court. The government has increasingly run roughshod over religious institutions. Religion, especially, Judeo-Christian tradition has become increasingly ridiculed and denied access to the public square. The government has made every conceivable effort to isolate believers, as well as their spiritual thoughts and actions to within the four walls of their homes and places of worship.

However, some Supreme Court justices did not agree with their 1947 colleagues. In 1962, Justice Potter Stewart lamented that jurisprudence was not “aided by the uncritical invocation of metaphors like the ‘wall of separation,’ a phrase nowhere to be found in the Constitution.”

In 1985, Chief Justice Warren Burger declared:

“The Constitution does not require a complete separation of church and state. It affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance, of all religions and forbids hostility towards any.”

Warren Burger, Chief Justice-U.S. Supreme Court,

Lynch v Donnelly, 465 U.S. 668, 669-670 (1985)

That same year, Chief Justice William Rehnquist observed:

“The establishment clause had been expressly freighted with Jefferson’s misleading metaphor for nearly forty years…There is simply no historical foundation for the proposition that the framers intended to build a wall of separation [between church and state]…the recent court decisions are in no way based on either the language or intent of the framers.”

William Rehnquist, Chief Justice-U.S. Supreme Court

Wallace v. Jafree, 472 US 38, 99

By far, the most serious threat to freedom of religion is the body of believers. They have largely bought the big lie. From casual conversations to the university classroom, believers are routinely heard advocating and proclaiming the secular concept of separation of church and state. Most are unaware of what they are doing, because the lie sounds so plausible and has been endlessly repeated since their earliest childhood, while the clergy has been virtually silent and often mislead themselves.

Believers are called by Scripture to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and ambassadors for Jesus. They can be none of these, when they have become so intimidated by political correctness that they are terrified of saying “Merry Christmas,” during the holiday season—a phrase that roughly means “I love you,” regardless of anyone’s personal religious views.

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

The Genius of the God-Designed Family

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn Abortion, American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Family, Father, God's Love, Homemaker, Judeo-Christian Culture, Love, Marriage, Mother2 Comments

God’s arrow of time from the Garden of Eden to Heaven passes through the family. Yet history is littered with the baggage of broken families. The amount of baggage increases just before the collapse of every civilization and culture in all of recorded history.

Genius of Gods Family

The genius and power of the God-designed family is jaw-dropping. The family is one of God’s greatest creations. The specific roles of the man and woman were assigned directly to Adam and Eve. They have never changed. To do so would compromise God’s infinite genius.

Man was created in the likeness of God. The God-designed family is a picture of God. We know Him as one God manifested to us in three Persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Similarly, the one impregnable family is represented by Dad, Mom, and the children. The family is an unbeatable team. It is the only way to carry out God’s commandments in a reliable way throughout posterity. It is the only way to enjoy all God’s blessings and the fullness of the life experience.

Marriage was created in the Garden of Eden, before Adam and Eve were disobedient to the Lord. God said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” [Genesis 2:24 KJV] Since marriage was created in the Garden of Eden, it was created in an environment of virtual perfection. After disobeying God by eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, God, proclaimed their respective, but perfectly complementary roles in a fallen world.

God’s Assignment for the Man

“…unto Adam he said, Because thou has…eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying you shall not eat of it: cursed is the ground for your sake; in sorrow shall you eat of it all the days of your life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to you; and you shall eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shall you eat bread, till you return unto the ground: for out of it were you taken; for dust you are, and unto dust shall you return.” [Genesis 3:17-19 NKJV]

The man protects and provides for his mother, wife, and children. When his father and son do the same, they form an unbroken shield of protection assuring a perpetually safe, secure environment within which the family can thrive. His protection of the family is fueled by God’s love. As such, the man is the primary, but not exclusive, model for the commandment to love God with body, mind and soul:

“And you shalt love the Lord your God with all thine heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: You shalt teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in thine house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up…You shall write them upon the posts of your house, and on your gates.” [Deuteronomy 6:5-7 & 9 NKJV]

God has assigned to the man a vital role in developing the character of his children. His role is far greater than merely providing for security and financial needs, for food, clothes, and shelter. He is the protector of his family physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

The man actively and routinely provides emotional and spiritual nourishment by being a conduit of God’s love. The man protects his family from outside influences that would weaken the character of his wife or interfere with or disrupt the development of character in their children.

God’s blessings for the obedient man are, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” [Proverbs 31:10-12 NKJV]

However, God requires of the husband an ironclad ultimate commitment, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it…” [Ephesians 5:25 KJV] The husband’s love and commitment to his wife must be so great the he would be willing to risk death for her.

God’s Assignment for the Woman

“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you.” [Genesis 3:16 NKJV]

The woman is the connector and propagator of life assuring a continuity of generations from the Garden of Eden to Heaven. All reproduction, physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual pass through the woman. As the connector and propagator of life, she is the primary, but not exclusive, model for the commandment, “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself…” [Leviticus 19:18 NKJV]

God’s blessings for the obedient woman are, “She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looks well to the ways of her household, and…Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. [Proverbs 31:25-28 NKJV]

However, God requires a commitment of her, “Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” [Ephesians 5:22 KJV] Submission merely means voluntarily choosing to respect and defer to his leadership even when he is wrong. When he does make a wrong choice, the shared consequences will be character building for the whole family. Actually, God’s perfect family plan is mutual submission, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” [Ephesians 5:21 KJV]

The practice of mutual submission should characterize all interpersonal relationships. Within the context of marriage and family, the stakes are simply higher than anywhere else. The blessings of mutual submission are greatest in marriage. The consequences of lack of mutual submission are more painful in marriage.

Together the Married Man and Woman Are Truly Awesome!

Combining the man’s vertical responsibility with the woman’s horizontal responsibility, Jesus proclaimed, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.” [Matthew 22:40 KJV] Their roles are perfectly complementary. After all, they were created by the greatest genius of the universe, God Himself.

Multi-generational contact is vital to the maintenance and stability of the chain of life. The woman is responsible for the cohesion of the family and the sustainability of the culture. She is the primary facilitator of the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

There is nothing like the genius of the God-designed family. Dad and Mom are an awesome team specifically designed by God to:

  • Create a cohesive family that mirrors God’s relationship with humanity.
  • Solidify the family assuring that God’s symbolic representation of His relationship with us is maintained throughout all generations.
  • Establish a sustainable culture that remains unbroken for posterity.

The God-designed family minimizes overall stress by reducing time pressures, encouraging character development among parents and children, and building warm close interpersonal relationships. When the woman’s career is at home pursuing God’s design, there are an additional 40 hours per week available to destress the entire family, compared to the married career woman trying to have it all.

If either Dad or Mom contemplates and chooses divorce or any path that undermines and devalues the family, the continuity is broken and the surviving family fragments become especially vulnerable to all manner of evil.

Today, the American culture has almost completely lost sight of God’s plan. The results have been tragic. It is up to us as Judeo-Christian believers to step up, restore, and magnify His amazing and magnificent vision.

What does it take to wake up the body of believers?

What does it take to wake up the clergy?

Value of a Soul!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn Abortion, American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Education, Freedom, God's Love, Judeo-Christian CultureLeave a comment

Value of a Soul

What is the value of your soul? Don’t miss this 28-minute video! Three lives search for true worth as their worlds crumble. Follow their unexpected journeys as Franklin Graham addresses the real value of the soul. Just click on the link below or copy/paste into the address block on your Internet browser.

Value of a Soul

Veterans’ (Armistice) Day!

On By Dr. Lloyd StebbinsIn American Culture, American Exceptionalism, Baby Boomers, Church, Father, Freedom, God's Love, Government, Judeo-Christian CultureLeave a comment

Tyne Cot brittish memorial cemetary of the first world war in Passendaele (Flanders Fields)

As we commemorate this Veteran’s Day we ought to pay special attention to each and every word of the moving elegy “In Flanders Field.” It was written in 1915 by Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae, who was as close as one can get to the nightmare of World War I. In it, the dead speak to us from their graves:

In Flanders Field

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe; To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.